Overview
Title
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain lands within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 1829 is like a rule that tries to give special pieces of land in a big forest, called the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, to two counties in Arizona to help them make bigger places for people to be buried. But if they don't use the land right, it goes back to the government.
Summary AI
H.R. 1829, also known as the “Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025,” requires the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer specific parcels of land within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to Navajo County and Apache County in Arizona. This transfer will include land to expand cemeteries, as shown on specific maps. The counties must request the land and cover the costs of needed surveys and environmental assessments. The land is to be used for cemetery purposes, and if not, it will revert to the U.S. government.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025,” aims to facilitate the transfer of specific parcels of land within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests to Apache County and Navajo County in Arizona. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the land upon receiving a request from each county. For Navajo County, the request must be made within 180 days, covering approximately 5 acres intended for use as a cemetery, while Apache County's request is required within 365 days, also for cemetery use. The bill prescribes that the transfer will be made without monetary compensation but will be subject to particular terms and conditions including reversion clauses if the land is not used as intended.
Significant Issues
One key issue is the conveyance of federal land without any financial consideration. This could be perceived as a loss of federal resources and a form of favoritism towards the counties receiving the land. Another concern is the ambiguity regarding the correction of "minor errors" on the maps used to define the conveyance, which could lead to disputes over land boundaries. Additionally, while the counties must cover all conveyance-related costs, this could impose a financial strain on them. The lack of clear procedures regarding reversion of land to the federal government if terms are violated further compounds potential legal challenges and administrative issues.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this bill's primary impact might surface through changes in local land use, affecting community planning and development, especially pertaining to cemetery expansions. Positive outcomes could manifest in optimized land use, contributing to local cultural and civic needs without imposing direct costs on taxpayers. However, citizens might also view the bill as a transfer of public assets without compensatory gain, raising concerns about government accountability in asset management.
Impact on Stakeholders
For Navajo and Apache Counties, the immediate advantage lies in acquiring land without direct financial expenditure, enabling them to plan for future community cemetery needs. However, the burden of covering related costs could strain county budgets, potentially diverting funds from other priority services. Apache County could face procedural complexities if it fails to request conveyance within the stipulated time frame, leading to lost opportunities. Additionally, the Forest Service and federal government confront risks of disputes and legal challenges due to vaguely defined terms and conditions, which might require resource allocation to address these issues effectively.
In conclusion, while the bill provides a mechanism to address local land needs, it invokes considerations about federal resource management and procedural transparency that warrant careful scrutiny and potential adjustments to ensure balanced outcomes for all parties involved.
Issues
The conveyance of land to both Navajo County (Section 2) and Apache County (Section 3) without consideration may be viewed as a transfer of federal assets without monetary compensation, which could be controversial and perceived as favoritism towards these counties.
The sections allow for correction of 'minor errors' in the maps by the Secretary, but lack clear definitions of what constitutes a minor error. This ambiguity (Section 2(c)(2)(A) and Section 3(c)(2)(A)) could lead to potential disputes regarding the boundaries or size of the conveyed land.
The lack of specific criteria for the additional terms and conditions that the Secretary may impose (Section 2(d)(5) and Section 3(d)(5)) introduces uncertainty about future requirements and could lead to legal or administrative challenges.
The requirement for Navajo County and Apache County to cover all conveyance-related costs, including surveys and environmental analyses (Section 2(e) and Section 3(e)), may impose significant financial burdens on local government resources.
The reversion clauses (Section 2(g) and Section 3(g)) lack specificity on how and when the determination of 'inconsistent use' will be made, which may lead to legal challenges regarding the reversion process.
The legislation does not specify what will happen if Apache County fails to submit a written request for conveyance within the 365-day requirement (Section 3(b)), leaving a procedural gap that could result in administrative complications.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act states that the law may be referred to as the "Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025."
2. Conveyance of certain land within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests to Navajo County, Arizona Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines that the Secretary of Agriculture must transfer two parcels of land in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests to Navajo County, Arizona, if requested within 180 days. The land, totaling approximately 5 acres, is to be used as a cemetery, and if used differently, it will revert to the United States.
3. Conveyance of certain land within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests to Apache County, Arizona Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Apache County, Arizona, is set to receive certain land within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests if they request it within a year. The land, intended for use as a cemetery, comes without cost but with specified terms, including potential reversion to the United States if misused.